1926.451(g)(1)(i): Fall Arrest on Certain Scaffold Types
Each employee on a boatswains' chair, catenary scaffold, float scaffold, needle beam scaffold or ladder jack scaffold must be protected by a personal fall arrest system.
Key takeaways
- 1926.451(g)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 149 times in the last 3 years, in 149 inspections, with $449,505 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (42), NY (22), MA (17).
- Related part: 1926.451(g) Fall protection (2,806 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1926.451 General requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart L). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(i) Each employee on a boatswains' chair, catenary scaffold, float scaffold, needle beam scaffold, or ladder jack scaffold shall be protected by a personal fall arrest system; 149 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.451.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2025 | 55 |
| 2026 | 42 |
Top states: IL (42), NY (22), MA (17), GA (9), NH (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ART TYRAWA | MOUNT PROSPECT, IL | $33,103 |
| MIGUEL ESQUINA REYES DBA CORNER CONSTRUCTION CORP. | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL | $10,215 |
| A & C CONSTRUCTION 1 CORP. | BUFFALO, NY | $9,219 |
| 160464 - D.R. HORTON, INC. | CASTLE HAYNE, NC | $9,000 |
| COPPER SOLUTIONS CORP | BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY | $8,276 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.451(g)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements for fall protection when ladder jack scaffolds are used for residential and commercial construction (2003-07-07)
- Clarification of 1926.451(a)(6) requirements for scaffolds and bridge-painting projects. (2002-08-06)
- Hoisting workers on crane load lines (boatswains' chair). (1998-05-22)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.451(g) Fall protection 2,806 citations
- 1926.451(g)(1) 2,210 citations
- 1926.451(g)(1)(vii) 671 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4) 516 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4)(i) 392 citations
- 1926.451(g)(1)(vi) 65 citations
- 1926.451(g)(2) 46 citations
- 1926.451(g)(3) 33 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4)(iv) 32 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4)(iii) 21 citations
- 1926.451(g)(3)(i) 20 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4)(xv) 16 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Which scaffolds require a personal fall arrest system?
Boatswains' chairs, catenary scaffolds, float scaffolds, needle beam scaffolds and ladder jack scaffolds.
Is a guardrail enough on these scaffolds?
No. The rule requires each employee on them to be protected by a personal fall arrest system.
Who must be protected?
Each employee on these scaffold types.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.451 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.